Broaching machine



- Oct. 3, 19'39. IF. J. LAPolNT'E 2,174,984

. BROACHING MACHINE INVENT OR.

ORNEY.

oct. 3, 1939. F. J. LAPOINTE' 2,174,984

BRoAcHING MACHINE Filed OG t. l0, 1938 4 She ets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 3, 1939. F. J. LAPolNTE BROACHING 'MACHINE Filed OCb. l0, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN'I` OR. v all ya??V Le Oct. 3, 1939.

` BROACHING MACHINE Filed oct. 10,' 1938 4 sheets-sheet 4 +L ATTORNEY.

F. J. LAPolNTE 2,174,984

Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRO-ACHING MACHINEApplication October 10, 1938, Serial No. 234,084

11 Claims.

More particularly, the invention relates to a broaching machine arrangedto be operated as a pull-up type of machine or, alternatively, as apull-down type of machine, it being the general object of the inventionto provide a newl and improved machine capable of such alternativeoperation.

Another object is to provide a new and improved broaching machine havingan upstanding column, an elongated frame element on which a breachsupporting ram and a work supporting table are mounted, and means forpivotally supporting said frame element on the column so that the frameelement may be swung 1li4 through 180 from a position wherein the ram isadjacent the top of the machine and arranged for a pull-up broachingoperation to a position wherein the ram is adjacent the bottom of themachine and arranged for a pull-down broaching operation.

Another object is tol provide such a new and improved broaching machineembodying an elevator device for handling the broach also carried on thepivotally mounted frame element'.

Another object is to provide such a broaching machine embodying novelmeans for pivotally supporting the swingable frame element1 on the,

column and for conducting iiuid'under pressure to piston and cylinderdevices for actuating the ram and broach elevator.

Further objects will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a vertical central section through a preferred form of theinvention approximately along the line I-I of Fig. 2, illustrating themachine arranged for pull-up broaching.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section approximately .along the line 2-2 of Fig.1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation with the chip pan shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary central section with the machine arranged forpull-down broaching.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary central section similar to Fig. 4 but with themachine arranged for pull-down surface broaching.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section approximately along the line 6 6 of Fig.1.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view along the line 'I-'I of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a uid circuit diagram.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section through a control valve,

While I have shown in the drawings and shall hereinafter describe indetail a preferred form of theinvention, it is to be understood that Ido not intend to limit the invention to the particular form andarrangement shown, it being con- 5 templated that various modificationsand alternative constructions may b-e made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and'scope of the appended claims.

As illustrated in the drawings, the invention 10 comprises generally anupstanding support or column I0 provided with a at, forward face II anelongated frame element' or bed I2 pivotally mounted on the column I0 bymeans of a shaft or journal I3 and bearings I4and I5, a ram I S 15reciprocably mounted in ways IIy and I8 on the frame element I2=, abroach supporting head I9 secured to one' end of th-e'ram I6, a worktableV 20 securedto the `frame element I2 and a broachV elevator 22lalso mounted on the'frame element I 2. In the positions shownin Figs. 1,2 and 3, f

the frame element or bed I2 is secured in upright position against theface IIA of the column I0 with the broach supporting headV I9- arrangedfor movement upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 1` for pull-upbroaching. The elevator 22 is then adjacent the bottom of the machineand arranged to handle a broach 23 when disengagedfrom a broach pulleror chuck 24 which is secured to the head I9` by means of4 a shank 25 anda nut 26 threaded on a reducedv upper end 2I thereof.

The column I0 is herein shown as comprising a lower compartment orreservoir 30 for holding a supply of fluid such as oil for purposesherein- 35 after more fully described. A transversely extending wall 32forms the upper end of the reservoir 30 and also serves as a supp-ortfor a iiuid pumping means 334 having a high pressure portion 34 and alow pressure portion 35, both driven 40 by means of a shaft 36. An uppertransversely extending wall 31 in the column serves as a support for anelectric driving motor 38. The shaft 39 of this motor is equipped with amultiple grooved pull-ey 40 and is arranged to drive the pump shaft 3'6by means of la plurality of belts 4I and a similarly grooved pulley 42on the pump shaft 36. Preferably, theI motor is mounted on a sub-base 43which is pivotally supported at 44 and 45 on brackets 46 and 41extending up- 50 wardly from the horizontal wall 31 of the column.Suitable screw devices 49 are screwthreaded through the sub-base andengage the upper surface of the wall 31 to facilitate tightening of thebelts 4I.

The frame element I2 is herein shown with a flat surface 50 positionedagainst the adjacent flat surface II of the column I0 and is adapted tobe bolted in the position shown in Figs. 1 to 3 by means of a pluralityof bolts 5I which extend through apertures in flanges 52 on the frameelement I2 and into a threaded socket 53 in the column I0 (Fig. 2).Preferably, a number of such bolts are spaced vertically apart alongeach side edge of the frame element I2.

The cylindrical shaft or journal I3 referred to hereinbefore is securedto the midportion of the frame element I2 for the purpose of mountingsaid frame element pivotally on the column I0. As shown most clearly inFigs. 1, 7 and 8, the left hand end of the shaft I3 has an enlargedjournal portion I3' rotatably mounted in the bearing I4 formed in thefront wall 55 of the column and has a reduced journal portion I3rotatably mounted in the bearing I5 which is secured to the upper end ofa bracket 56 extending upwardly from the transverse wall 32 of thecolumn. Adjacent the left hand end of the shaft I3,a worm wheel 51 isnonerotatably secured thereto. This worm wheel meshes with a worm 58supported on a horizontal shaft 59 rotatably mounted in a bracket 60extending rearwardly from the forward wall 55 of the column. Preferably,the shaft 59 is provided with a squared end 5I (Fig. 2) suitable forengagement with a wrench or other tool so that' by removing the bolts 5Ithe frame element I2 may be swung through an arc of 180 from theposition shown in Figs. 1 to 3 to the position shown in Fig. 4 for thepurpose of changing the machine from pull-up operation to pull-downoperation.

In the form shown in the drawings, with particular reference to Figs. 1,7 and 8, the shaft I3 is secured to the frame element I2 by a pluralityof bolts |40 which extend through openings in a rear wall I2vof theframe element and into screw-threaded engagement with the shaft I3. Inorder to locate the shaft on the frame element and to provide a morerigid connection therebetween, a cylindrical hub IlII is secured to theframe element by means of a plurality of bolts M2. which have theirheads countersunk in the hub I4I and are threaded into the frame elementwall I2'. The shaft I3 is provided with a cylindrical recess M3 so thatthe hub may be fitted into the adjacent end of the shaft. A gasket I 44maybe inserted between the end of the hub and the recess 143 so as toseal the parts.

As illustrated herein` the ram I6 has a cylindr 62 which is arranged tobe reciprocated ver tically by means of a piston 03 secured to the upperend of a tubular piston rod E4. the lower end of which is anchored in ablock B5 suitably secured to an endl wall 6B of the frame element I2.The block 05 is provided with a port 31 communicating with the interiorof the tubular piston rod 64. and the piston B3 is provided with aplurality of ports 6H for establishing communication between theinterior of the tubular rod 0l! and the space intermediate said rod andthe cylinder 62, in order to conduct fluid from the lower end of thecylinder during a broaching operation. Fluid may be supplied to theupper end of the cylinder during a broaching operation by means ofaninner tubular rod 69 which at its upper end extends through the piston63 so as to communicate with the upper end of the cylinder and at itslower end is also anchored to the block 65. The lowerend of the rod 69communicates with a port 10 in the block 65.

The cylinder 32 is closed at its upper end by means of a head 1 I.

In the form shown herein, the work support 20 is in the form of a hollowbracket or casting secured to the front of the frame element I2 and hasa horizontal wall 15 apertured to receive a work bushing 16. Thisbushing is aligned with the opening in the broach holder chuck 24, whichbroach holder is preferably of an automatic type, as shown in my PatentNo. 2,027,486, dated January 14, 1936. The broach 23 is provided with ahead 11 and a reduced portion 18 to facilitate connection of the broachto the chuck 24.

In the preferred form of the invention, the elevator 22 is provided forhandling the broach 23 when it is disconnected from the chuck 24. Asshown in Figs. 1 to 3, the elevator comprises a vertically movablecylinder having a cooperating stationary piston 8I` mounted on avertically extending hollow rod 82. The rod 82 is secured at its upperend to the piston 3| and is secured atl its lower end to a block 83which in turn is secured to an angle bracket 34 mounted on the lower endof the frame element I2. Preferably, the cylinder 30 is formedintegrally with a slide 85 (Fig. 3) movable vertically on a pair ofspaced cylindrical slide rods 8B and 81 which are anchored at theirupper ends to a member 88 suitably secured to the front surface of theframe element I2, and are anchored at their lower ends in the anglebracket 84. As illustrated most clearly in Fig. 6, the elevator pistonand, cylinder device is similar in construction to the ram piston andcylinder device. Thus, the tubular rod 82 has a port 90 just below thepiston 8I for communication with the lower end of the cylinder 80, andat its lower end said rod is anchored in the block 83 so as tocommunicate with a port SI. An inner tubular rod 92 extends upwardlythrough the piston 3l so as to communicate with the upper end of thecylinder, said rod being anchored at its lower end in the block 83 so asto communicate with a port 93. The elevator 22 also includes a bracketmember 94 secured by a plurality of bolts 95 to the front of the slide85. This bracket member has a horizontally extending shelf 96 to which abroach receiving bushing assembly 31 is secured in vertical alignmentwith the work bushing 16 and chuck 24. This broach bushing assembly isof well known construction and is arranged to hold the broach in anupright position when the broach is disengaged from the chuck 24. It ispreferablyprovided with a detent device 91 as shown in Fig. 4 so as t'obe capable of supporting the broach 23 when the machine is arranged forpull-down broaching.

Preferably, an angle table I0 is also secured to the frame element I2 ina position below the work support 20, as shown in Fig. l. -This tablehas an angular or inclined surface IOI which functions to dischargecompleted work pieces forwardly from the machine.

A hollow base I02 is located beneath the frame element I2 and broachhandling mechanism so as to form a receptacle for cutting coolantdischarged onto the broach by means including a nozzle device |03. Thisbase may be suitably bolted to the column I2. A coolant pump |04 (Fig.2) secured to the lower portion of the column I2 is driven by means ofan electric motor I 05 and has an intake conduit IUS leading to thehollow base |02 and a discharge conduit I01 leading to the nozzle ID3.Valves |08 are preferably provided in the supply conduit. It is con-Yannular recesses |24 and |25.

templated that the conduit will be broken by means of couplings |09 whenthe machine is converted from a pull-up machine to a pull-down machine,the supply conduit |01 having ar horizontal stretch I|0 projecting fromboth sides of the frame element I2 to facilitate connecting the uppercoupling |09 to either end thereof. A plug III closes the uncoupled end.

In order to supply fluid to the cylinders of the ram and elevatormotors, means is provided for conducting the fluid through the shaft I3so that the fluid connections are not interrupted or disturbed when themachine is changed from pullup broaching to pull-down broachng and viceversa. As illustrated herein, the journal I3 is provided withlongitudinally extending passages ||2 and ||3, the frontends of whichare connected respectively to the elevatorports 9| and 93 by means ofconduits ||4 and II5. The other ends of the passages ||2 and ||3terminate in radially extending ports ||6 and ||1 respectively spacedapart longitudinally of the journal. The intermediate portion of thejournal is surrounded by a plurality of rings IIB, ||9, |20 and |21which are provided respectively with annular fluid conductingrecesses|22, |23, |24, and |25. These rings are also provided with ports |26,|21, |28 and |29 respectively which communicate with the annularrecesses and are threaded for the reception of suitable fluid conduits.The radial ports IIo` and II1 communicate respectively with the Thejournal I3 is similarly provided with two longitudinally extendingpassages |30 which communicate at their forward ends with conduits ISIand |32, these conduits communicating respectively with the ram ports 61and 10. At their rear ends, the passages |30 communicate with radiallyextending ports |33, one of which communicates with the annular recess|22 and the other with the annular recess |23.

'Ihe fluid connections between the pumps 3d and and the ram and elevatorcylinders will be most readily apparent from Fig. 9 which illustratesthese connections in somewhat diagrammatic form. As shown in Fig. 9, thepump 36 is provided with an intake pipe |51'.l and the pump 35 isprovided with an intake pipe I 5|. A discharge conduit |52 extends fromthe pump 34 to a solenoid operated four-way valve |53 which valve ispreferably provided with a spring centered neutral position whereinfluid is bypassed back to the reservoir 30 through a return conduit |54.A return conduit |52 leads from the conduit |52 and is provided with arelief valve |52. This valve is adjusted to open at the maximum pressurewhich the fluid in conduit |52 should attain. Conduits I 55 and |55 leadfrom the valve |53 to the ports |25 andlZ'I in the rings ||8 and H9 forthe purpose of conducting fluid to and from the opposite ends of the ramcylinder 62.

The conduits |3| and |32 complete the connections to the ports 'I0 and61 respectively. Preferably, a suitable back pressure Valve |51 isprovided in the conduit |32 so as to maintain a back pressure on thepiston 63 during the breaching stroke, a practice well known in the art.The valve |53 is arranged tobe operated by means of solenoid devices |58and |59. The valve and solenoid devices are not illustrated anddescribed in detail since it is contemplated that various types ofvalves may be used in the conduits intermediate the pump and thepassages in the shaft I3, the disclosure herein illustrating generally a.means for supplying fluid to the shaft passages.

nectit from the elevator bushing 91.

'The pump 35 supplies fluid to a conduit |60 which communicates througha control valve |60 and conduitV |60 with a single end solenoid operatedfour-way valve IGI, this valve being pref- -inaximum pressure at whichthe fluid in conduit |66 is intended to operate. Conduits |64 and leadfrom the'valve IBI'to the ports |28 and irespectively in the rings |20vand |2| for the purpose of supplying fluid to and conducting it fromthe opposite ends of the cylinder 90 of the elevator. Conduits |66 and|61 connect at o-ne end with the conduits ||Il and I I5 respectively andat their other ends communicate with the ports 9| and 93 respectively.The control valve |65 is included to permit the elevator to be renderedinoperative. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, this valve has a rotatablemember provided with a diametrical passage ISI and a radial passage |82at right angles thereto. In the position shown in Fig. 10, the passage|80 connects conduit I 60 to conduit I 60 so as to provide fluid tooperate the elevator. By rotating the member |89 through an angleof V90in a clockwise direction, the passages |80 and llill would cooperate todirect the iiuid from conduit |60 into a return conduit |82.

The valves and control'circuit therefor may be of the type disclosed inmy prior Patent No.`

2,568,884, dated January 26, 1937.

Asillustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the preferred form of the invention isarranged for pull-up broaching. Briefly, the operation ofthe machineconsists in placing a work piece against the workf,

bushing 16 after which the elevator raises the broach V23into/engagement with the chuck 24. Thereafter the ram rises, drawing thebroach 23 through the work. the vbroach at the same time beingdisconnected from `the elevator bushi ing assembly 91. Upon completionof the broaching operation,'the work fallsdcwn onto the angle table |0|and slides forwardly therefrom. The ram .is then' lowered until thechuck 24 engages the horizontal wall 15 of the work support 20,;v

whereupon the broach is released vfrom the chuck and'drops down into thebushing assembly 91 to condition 'the machinefor the reception ofanother work piece;

In order to change the machine for pull-down .Q

broaching, it is merely necessary to remove the bolts '5| (anddisconnect the coolant couplings |09) and then swing the frame elementI2 on its pivot shaft I3 through an arc of 180. This is accomplished bymeans of a suitable tool and the 1' worm and worm wheel mechanism 58,51. This `non-reversible gear mechanism is preferably prothe operatoreven though this element may be? unbalanced. After the frame element hasbeen shifted, the bolts 5| are replaced and the coolant connection isagain completed, whereupon the machine is in condition for operation.The parts are then as illustrated in Fig. 4. By placing a work piece onthe bushing 16, the broach 23 may be lowered into engagement with thechuck 24, after which the ram is lowered to draw the broach through thework and at the same time discon- Upon the completion of the broachingoperation, the finished work piece is removed, after which the ram isreturned upwardly until the chuck 24, by engaging the work support walll5, releases the broach 23 so that it may be engaged and Withdrawnupwardly by means of the elevator 22. The machine is then in conditionfor the reception of another work piece.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the machine is also adapted for pull-downbroaching, the broach supporting head I9 and elevator mechanism beingremoved so that a surface broach |10 may be secured directly to thefront face of the ram I6.

It is believed readily apparent that the invention provides a universalbroaching machine of :relatively simple construction and one wherein "itis possible to eiect both pull-up and pull-down broaching in a singlemachine. By mounting the prime mover on the column and providingsuitable connections intermediate the prime mover Vand thereciprocat'ory broach supporting head and the elevator mechanismeffective to transmit power to these elements in either position of thebed on the column, the change-over of the machine from pull-up broachingto pull-down broaching is readily made. It is contemplated that variousparts of the machine herein 'described as secured one to another may beso secured by means of bolts or welding or other meth- .ods well knownin the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated frame element extending vertically along theforward face of said column, a broach supporting ram slidably mounted onthe upper portion of said frame element for movement longitudinallythereon, a work supporting table secured to said frame element adjacentthe midportion thereof, means on said frame element for reciprocatingsaid ram, and means for securing said frame element pivotally to saidcolumn so as to permit the frame element to be inverted.

2. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated bed extending vertically along the forward face ofsaid column, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on theupper portion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a broachhandling elevator slidably mounted on the lower portion of said bed formovement vertically thereon, a work supporting table secured to said bedint'ermediate said head and said elevator, means for reciprocating saidhead, means for reciprocating said elevator, and means for scouring saidbed pivotally to said column to permit the bed and parts thereon to beinverted with respect to said column.

3. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated bed extending vertically along the forward face ofsaid column, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on theupper portion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a. worksupporting table secured to said bed below said head, means on said bedoperable to reciprocate said head, and means for securing said bedpivotally to said column to permit the bed and parts thereon to beinverted with respect to said column comprising horizontally spacedbearings on said column and a journal secured to said bed and rotatablein said bearings.

4. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated bed extending vertically along the front of saidcolumn, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on the upperportion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a work supportingtable secured to said bed below said head, fluid operated means on saidbed for reciprocating said head, and means for securing said bedpivotally to said column to permit the bed and parts thereon to beinverted with respect to said column comprising bearing means on saidcolumn, a journal secured to said bed and rotatablev in said bearingmeans and means for conducting iluid to said means for reciprocatingsaid head including fluidpassages in said journal terminating at one endin the periphery thereof and means on said column surrounding a portionof said journal and having annular recesses communicating with saidpassages.

5. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated bed extending vertically along the forward face ofsaid column, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on theupper portion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a broachhandling elevator slidably mounted on the lower portion of said bed formovement vertically thereon, a Work supporting table secured to said bedintermediate said head and said elevator, means for reciprocating saidhead, means for reciprocating said elevator, and means for securing saidhed pivotally to said column to permit the bed and parts thereon to beinverted with respect to said column comprising horizontally spacedbearings on said column and a journal secured to said bed and rotatablein said bearings.

6. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated bed extending vertically along the front of saidcolumn, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on the upperportion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a work supportingtable secured to said bed below said head, a broach handling elevatorslidably mounted on the lower portion of said bed for movementvertically thereon, fluid operated means on said bed for reciprocatingsaid head, fluid operated means on said bed for reciprocating saidelevator, and means for securing said bed pivotally to said column topermit the bed and parts thereon to be inverted with respect to saidcolumn comprising bearing means on said column, a journal secured tosaid bed and rotatable in said bearing means and means for conductinguid to said fluid operated means on said head including conduitsconnected thereto, iiuid passages in said journal connected at one endto said conduits and terminating at their other ends in the periphery ofthe journal and means on said column surrounding a portion of saidjournal and having annular iluid recesses communicating with saidpassages in both positions of said bed.

7. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingbed, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on the upperportion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, fluid operatedmeans on said bed for reciprocating said head through a pull-upbroaching stroke and a downward return stroke, a work support secured tosaid bed below said head, and means for supporting said bed in anupstanding position and for inverting said bed to form a pulldownbroaching machine.

8. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated frame element extending vertically along theforward face of said column, a broach supporting ram slidably mounted onthe upper portion of said frame element for movement longitudinallythereon, a work supporting table secured to said frame element adjacentthe midportion thereof, means on said frame element for reciprocatingsaid ram, means for securing said frame element pivotally to said columnso as to permit the frame element to be inverted, and non-reversiblegearing means for pivoting said frame element with respect to saidcolumn.

9. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn, an elongated bed extending vertically along the forward face ofsaid column, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on theupper portion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a worksupporting table secured to said bed below said head, means on said bedoperable to reciprocate said head, means for securing said bed pivotallyto said column to permit the bed and parts thereon to be inverted withrespect to said column comprising horizontally spaced bearings on saidcolumn and a journal secured to said bed and rotatable in said bearings,and means for inverting said bed on said column comprising a worm wheelsecured to said journal, a worm rotatably mounted on said column meshingwith said worm wheel and means for rotating said worm.

10. A vertical broaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingbed, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on the upperportion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, uid operated meanson said bed for reciprocating said head through a pull-up broachingstroke and a downward return stroke, a Work support secured to said bedbelow said head, means for supporting said bed in an upstanding positionand for inverting said bed to form a pulldown broaching machine, andmeans for supplying fluid under pressure to said fluid operated means ineither position of said bed including pump means on said supportingmeans and means forming flexible conduit connections between said pumpmeans and fluid operated means.

11. A vertical breaching machine having, in combination, an upstandingcolumn,` an elongated bed extending vertically along the forward face ofsaid column, a broach chuck supporting head slidably mounted on theupper portion of said bed for movement vertically thereon, a broachhandling elevator slidably mounted on the lower portion of said bed formovement vertically thereon, a work supporting table secured to said bedintermediate said head and said elevator, means for reciprocating saidhead, means for reciprocating said elevator, means for securing said bedpivotally to said column to permit the bed and parts thereon to beinverted with respect to said column, and means for reciprocating saidbroach chuck and broach handling elevator comprising power means on saidcolumn and power transmitting connections effective in either positionof said bed on said column.

FRANCIS J LAPOINTE.

